Legislature boosts funding for Framingham schools

Saturday

Mar 15, 2014 at 12:19 AM

By Scott O'ConnellDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM - As the school department struggles to close a potential budget gap for next fiscal year, the Legislature has made the job a little easier by increasing the state's contribution to the district by about $1 million.According to Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, both the House and Senate this week passed a resolution to increase the entire line item in the state budget for K-12 education aid $100 million over last year. The measure boosts unrestricted local aid by $25 million as well. "Education is the foundation of our future," said Sannicandro. "I want to make sure every child receives a high-quality education and has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. These investments ensure the state is doing its part to provide that."Should the resolution stick, the state would pay 36.7 percent of Framingham's education costs in fiscal 2015, about a percentage-point-and-a-half more than school officials had projected, Superintendent Stacy Scott said."My hat is off to our state legislators for their fine work in advocating for us," he said. "We are grateful to have real champions who are willing to fight for what we need in Framingham."The additional aid would help the district further chip away at a proposed $110.4 million budget for next year that officials had already trimmed from an original $111.6 million. There would still be a hole, however, between what the school is seeking and the town's recommended school budget of $107.8 million.This week, Scott said his administration was able to lower their request by more than $1.2 million by revising special education cost increase projections, capping certain school expenses, and reducing a district rebuilding plan by about $400,000.The school board is slated to vote on a final budget number on March 25.Scott O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottOConnellMW